Offshore Wind and Ocean Renewables Power ON at 2025 International Partnering Forum
This week, more than 1,500 offshore renewable energy professionals gathered at the Virginia Beach Convention Center for the 2025 International Partnering Forum (IPF), hosted by Oceantic Network. As the premier offshore renewable energy conference in the Americas, this year’s IPF reflected the industry’s milestones, strategic adaptation in a shifting political landscape, and the sector’s readiness to meet surging U.S. power demand.
The conference opened Monday with the U.S. Offshore Wind Market Update, where state leaders and experts detailed the industry’s outlook under the new federal administration. Officials from Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York emphasized that despite political uncertainty, states remain steadfast in their offshore wind commitments. Panels covered timely themes including historic power demand growth, permitting reform, and interregional transmission coordination through the Northeast States Collaborative.
That same afternoon, the Central Atlantic Supplier Fair kicked off. Hosted in partnership with Virginia Beach Economic Development, the event welcomed regional developers and OEMs including Dominion Energy, US Wind, and SPIE to share procurement needs and connect directly with potential suppliers as projects advance through construction to operations and maintenance.
“IPF continues to be the industry’s most vital convening, uniting the full offshore renewable energy supply chain from global developers and manufacturers to family-owned suppliers and startups,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network. “This year’s forum showcased the industry’s ability to collaborate, adapt, and lead amidst a national energy emergency. Together, we are powering on toward a more resilient energy future.”
Tuesday’s Opening Plenary set the tone for the week, spotlighting the $25 billion in domestic investment driven by the offshore wind industry and emphasizing the importance of offshore wind for grid resilience and national security. Speakers included Dominion Energy’s Mark Mitchell, RWE’s Sam Eaton, and LS GreenLink CEO Bon-Kyu Koo, who announced progress on the company’s $700 million subsea cable factory that broke ground during IPF Week. Premier Tim Houston of Nova Scotia also took the stage to highlight his province’s 5 GW offshore wind target and reinforce U.S.-Canada supply chain opportunities.
Throughout the week, the Power ON Stage offered real-time market intelligence and international perspectives through What’s New & Spinning spotlights and Global Insights briefings. Speakers from Ørsted and Invenergy as well as policymakers and experts from Uruguay, Singapore, Norway, the UK, and Germany. Startup Alley, presented in partnership with SeaAhead and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, featured 7 blue tech and offshore renewable startups delivering rapid-fire pitches to hundreds of attendees.
On Wednesday, Oceantic debuted the inaugural Ocean Renewables Summit, a sold-out event dedicated to wave, tidal, offshore solar, and hybrid ocean energy systems. Leaders from NREL, the California Energy Commission, the Ocean Conservancy, and pioneering companies like Verdant Power and Equinox Ocean Turbines provided technical and policy updates, while sessions highlighted supply chain crossover opportunities, co-location benefits, and funding strategies.
“Ocean renewables have the potential to meet more than half of U.S. electricity needs,” said Oceantic CEO Liz Burdock. “This Summit plants the seeds for the next frontier in offshore energy technology and development.”
Thursday closed with the Workforce Summit, which focused on building a pipeline of trained labor for offshore wind manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction, and a final round of Power ON Stage sessions spotlighting HVDC interoperability, floating wind substations, and innovations in submarine cable reliability.
Oceantic Network announced that 2026 IPF will take place in New York City February 9-12, 2026.
Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/
